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PC Perspectivehttp://www.pcper.com/images/podcast-logo-600x600.pngenAMD Releases FX CPU Refresheshttp://www.pcper.com/news/Processors/AMD-Releases-FX-CPU-Refreshes
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<p>Today AMD has released two new processors that address the AM3+ market.&nbsp; The FX-6350 and FX-4350 are two new refreshes of the quad and hex core lineup of processors.&nbsp; Currently the FX-8350 is still the fastest of the breed, and there is no update for that particular number yet.&nbsp; This is not necessarily a bad thing, but there are those of us who are still awaiting the arrival of the rumored &ldquo;Centurion&rdquo;.</p>
<p>These parts are 125 watt TDP units, which are up from their 95 watt predecessors.&nbsp; The FX-6350 runs at 3.9 GHz with a 4.2 GHz boost clock.&nbsp; This is up 300 MHz stock and 100 MHz boost from the previous 95 watt FX-6300.&nbsp; The FX-4350 runs at 3.9 GHz with a 4.3 GHz boost clock.&nbsp; This is 100 MHz stock and 300 MHz boost above that of the FX-4300.&nbsp; What is of greater interest here is that the L3 cache goes from 4 MB on the 4300 to 8 MB on the 4350.&nbsp; This little fact looks to be the reason why the FX-4350 is now a 125 watt TDP part.</p>
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<p>It has been some two years since AMD started shipping 32 nm PD-SOI/HKMG products to the market, and it certainly seems as though spinning off GLOBALFOUNDRIES has essentially stopped the push to implement new features into a process node throughout the years.&nbsp; As many may remember, AMD was somewhat famous for injecting new process technology into current nodes to improve performance, yields, and power characteristics in &ldquo;baby steps&rdquo; type fashion instead of leaving the node as is and making a huge jump with the next node.&nbsp; Vishera has been out for some 7 months now and we have not really seen any major improvement in regards to performance and power characteristics.&nbsp; I am sure that yields and bins have improved, but the bottom line is that this is only a minor refresh and AMD raised TDPs to 125 watts for these particular parts.</p>
<p>The FX-6350 is again a three module part containing six cores.&nbsp; Each module features 2 MB of L2 cache for a total of 6 MB L2 and the entire chip features 8 MB of L3 cache.&nbsp; The FX-4350 is a two module chip with four cores.&nbsp; The modules again feature the same 2 MB of L2 cache for a total of 4 MB active on the chip with the above mentioned 8 MB of L3 cache that is double what the FX-4300 featured.</p>
<p>Perhaps soon we will see updates on FM2 with the Richland series of desktop processors, but for now this refresh is all AMD has at the moment.&nbsp; These are nice upgrades to the line.&nbsp; The FX-6350 does cost the same as the FX-6300, but the thinking behind that is that the 6300 is more &ldquo;energy efficient&rdquo;.&nbsp; We have seen in the past that AMD (and Intel for that matter) does put a premium on lower wattage parts in a lineup.&nbsp; The FX-4350 is $10 more expensive than the 4300.&nbsp; It looks as though the FX-6350 is in stock at multiple outlets but the 4350 has yet to show up.</p>
<p>These will fit in any modern AM3+ motherboard with the latest BIOS installed.&nbsp; While not an incredibly exciting release from AMD, it at least shows that they continue to address their primary markets.&nbsp; AMD is in a very interesting place, and it looks like Rory Read is busy getting the house in order.&nbsp; Now we just have to see if they can curve back their cost structure enough to make the company more financially stable.&nbsp; Indications are good so far, but AMD has a long ways to go. &nbsp;But hey, at least according to AMD the FX series is beloved!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.pcper.com/news/Processors/AMD-Releases-FX-CPU-Refreshes" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://www.pcper.com/news/Processors/AMD-Releases-FX-CPU-Refreshes#commentsProcessors32 nmamdBelovedbulldozerFXFX-4300FX-4350FX-6300FX-6350SOIvisheraTue, 30 Apr 2013 18:04:38 +0000Josh Walrath57145 at http://www.pcper.com